Be Captivating Dress & Top Sewing Pattern

I made the Be Captivating Top version and I love it! It is stylish and comfortable. I also love that the pattern features two neckline cuts, one for more cleavage and one for less cleavage depending on what look you’re going for.

I love that you get a top and a dress, both in one pattern. The top is very versatile, I wear mine a lot and will be making more. Cross over neckline adds interest. The dress is a lovely pencil skirt style. The pattern is very clear and explains how to adjust for height/torso length (side waist). Thank you for another great pattern and amazing value!!

So far I have made two Be Captivating dresses! Love how they turned out. The pattern is easy to follow with clear and informative instructions.

Made this and finished it just in time to wear out for my anniversary dinner! Got so many compliments. As a beginner sewer it was way easier than I expected. Can’t wait til I have another night out so I can make another one!

This pattern is very good,easy.For perfect fit ,find out a perfect size is important.

I am enjoying my top immensely. It was easy to sew...only reason it didn’t have 5 stars is the neckline. Wish the lines and instructions were clear with a picture or drawing of the differences between the low and high neck. I had trouble with the lines blurring together and probably cut on the wrong lines so the neckline isn’t where I wanted it, so I am making it again. Also, the hem issues are problematic when turning under four layers of fabric on the front. I wound up cutting the inner layer up and removing an inch or more of the under layer so it was uniform all around the bottom perimeter. I probably did this all wrong but I still like the top. Size up as recommended if you don’t want a “sausage “ fit!

I love this pattern. It is a beautiful versatile pattern. Well written with great photos. Highly recommend

Overall this pattern is just satisfactory. The end result is ok, but there is room for improvement across all area’s. If you are a beginner, look up extensive info on how to sew with knits, as this pattern instructions provide you with none.

Printing and assembly (-0.5 star)
Layered PDF available.
There is only one file with both instructions and the patterns file. As the instructions are really lengthy (FBA instructions included) and full of full color pictures, you have to be really careful what to print and not to print.
If you add sooo much (useless?) info, a little ‘print page … to … for dress and … to … for top only’ feels like I wouldn’t be too much to ask for. Lots of paper waste especially for my smaller size (I threw away 6 almost empty pages).
There are important pattern lines right at paper edge (armscye). There are no symbols to match together when taping the paper together, so the taping was a pain.

Quality of the pattern (-0.5 star)
Like all E&M patterns this pattern is quite cheap. You get what you pay for. Some drafting corners have been cut. The sleeves are symmetrical (not drafted for a back and a front body shape), there are no notches for fitting in the sleeves.

Instructions (-0.5 stars)
There is a LOT of pre-info. So much you get a bit lost in its
The steps and pictures of the actual sewing instructions are clear. However there is a glaring thing missing, especially since they add soo much other info: there are no instructions on sewing a knit (with quite some stretch) with a regular sewing machine. No mentioning a stretch stitch or a zig-zag for hemming. As this is a really tight fitting dress you won’t be able to get in on and off with a straight stitch and stitches will snap if you do not use a stretch stitch. No instructions on stabilizing the knit either. I really consider both to be sub par.

Sizing
I have found the pattern true to size based on body measurements and finished garment measurement. Be carefull though, the garment does have quite some negative ease. If your fabric doesn’t have so much stretch (<40%). I’d consider sizing up in that case

The fit (-0.5 star)
Even with my quite high positioned self supporting 30B bust, the neckline had the tendency to go over my bust, instead of under each breast.

Good as always

Love the look and the fit

This pattern is super easy and makes a great dress to have for a casual event. I will deff be making a couple more.

Be Captivating Dress & Top Pattern

Love this pattern!
It's so flattering, I've a curvy figure, and it feels so comfortable to wear! Definitely my favourite Ellie and Mac pattern!

Cut out last night and made up in a couple of hrs this afternoon. Just right for this hot weather! ( shorts version using the skirt of a charity shop buy and a T-shirt to do back and half of the bands).

I am highly impressed with the fit. I really did not expect the fit to be so accurate,but it is. I just love Ellie & Mac patterns!

In fairness, I used this pattern to create what has become one of my favorite dresses. However, in the first iteration, the armholes and sleeves were too tight and the sleeve cap sat too high up on my shoulders. I redrafted the top to have more material in the arm hole and widened the arms. Luckily, I had enough material to redo the top. With these adjustments, the pattern is great. The directions are easy to follow and, if you follow the diagram, the printed pieces are easy to compile.

fun and quick to make, looks great on

I made the top version for a colleague who moved on to a new position. It was a great pattern to make. Turned out great. The directions were perfect and easy to follow.

Be Captivating Dress & Top Pattern

I like making this pattern, really easy to sew for beginner. Absolutely love the pattern. Instructions are easy to follow and the dress itself it a beauty. It makes me feel pretty.

I made this dress for my daughter, she loves it. She said it fit like a glove. I plan to make more for her and it’s an easy sew.

Absolutely love the pattern! Instructions are easy to follow and the dress itself it a beauty!

My first adult make with Ellie and Mac patterns, so easy to follow and very pleased with the end result

I really enjoy sewing this pattern. I made 2tops and one dress size S. I made the back much more lower and round. My daughter love this pattern

I love this pattern! It makes me feel pretty and was really easy to sew. As always, straight forward clear instructions - size true to measurements, great pattern!

Be Captivating Dress & Top Pattern

this is a really nice pattern to sew. It's very easy and is very classy